... Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from Wednesday morning
through Thursday afternoon...
A coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from Wednesday morning
through Thursday afternoon.
A low pressure system located over the western Aleutians early
this morning is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major storm
by early Wednesday morning. The storm center is expected to be
about 50 miles west of Nome at 3 am Wednesday and move to near
Kotzebue by 3 am Thursday.
This storm will generate very strong west winds over the West
Coast of Alaska and Norton Sound from Wednesday morning through
Thursday. Winds are expected to be as high as 60 mph over the
northern Bering Sea and eastern Norton Sound. These winds will
push large amounts of water into Norton Sound and generate a
very high storm surge over the eastern Norton Sound coast. A
maximum storm surge of 10 to 11 feet is expected along the eastern
Norton Sound coast from Elim to south of Unalakleet. In areas near
Saint Michael... a maximum storm surge of around 9 feet is
expected. The strong winds will push sea ice on shore. Wave
driven ice can cause great damage to structures.
Heavy snow is expected to begin this afternoon with
blizzard conditions likely beginning tonight. People
are urged to prepare for this storm before it begins.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A coastal Flood Watch means that conditions favorable for
flooding are expected to develop. Major coastal flooding
is possible if the winds and storm surge occur as forecast.
Coastal residents should be alert for later statements or
warnings... and take action now to protect property. This storm
has the potential to be extremely dangerous and it could be
one of the worst on record over eastern Norton Sound.